Technosignatures for Detecting Intelligent Life in Our Universe: A Research Companion (Astrobiology Perspectives on Life in the Universe)

TECHNOSIGNATURES FOR DETECTING INTELLIGENT LIFE IN OUR UNIVERSE This book shows the current state of the research in the field of technosignatures, presenting novel ideas from economics, forecasting, and data sciences, making it an ideal research compendium for scientists. The book summarizes the multiple interdisciplinary efforts that have contributed to the field of technosignatures. The technosignatures represent any signals that can be collected from the Universe, such as radio wavelengths, optical signals, and many more, that can be potential candidates as signals emitted intentionally from another part of the Universe that is not Earth. It shows how current advances in science, technology, and social sciences can support this effort and can be used as both a resource for the scientists in the field and as a reference for the public at large interested in the topic. It includes novel research work from economics, forecasting, and data sciences fields, as well as a deeper understanding of the role mass media and popular fiction has played in the evolution of this field. Audience The book will interest both natural scientists (astronomers and astrophysicists) and social scientists (economists), as well as the new emerging data scientists. Amateur astronomers will be attracted to the book as well.-- Provided by publisher Cover Half-Title Page Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents Preface 1 Historical Perspectives: How the Search for Technosignatures Grew Out of the Cold War 1.1 Introduction 1.2 The Extraterrestrial Life Debate Gets Technical 1.3 Finding the 21-cm Hydrogen Line 1.4 The Role of the Space Race in Early CETI 1.5 Same Planet, Different Civilizations 1.6 Making 1.7 Conclusion: Returning to L References 2 Reading the Cosmos: What Our Science Tells Us About the Science of Another World 2.1 Introduction 2.2 The Why and How of Interstellar Communication 2.3 An Early Language 2.4 A Language Based on Science 2.5 Our Senses, Our Perceptions and Our Science 2.5.1 Motion 2.5.2 Space “in the small” 2.5.3 Time 2.5.4 Space “in the large” 2.5.5 Mathematics 2.6 Conclusion References 3 The Impact of Discovering the First Technosignature 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Cultural Impact Based on Analogous Historical Events 3.3 Modeling the Impact Based on the Discovery’s Diffusion into Society 3.4 Multimodal Diffusion into Knowledge Systems of Complex Publics References 4 Searching for Extraterrestrial Intelligence by Locating Potential ET Communication Networks in Space 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Concepts 4.3 Case Study 4.4 Conclusions Acknowledgements References 5 Habitable Mini-Earths with Black Hole Cores 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Surface Comfort 5.3 Concept and Design 5.4 Surface Conditions and Size 5.5 Black Hole Core 5.6 Mass Boosting and Terraformation 5.7 Technosignatures 5.8 Conclusion Acknowledgement References 6 Technosignatures in Time-Series Photometry 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Types of Technosignatures 6.2.1 Dyson Spheres 6.2.2 Transit Beacons 6.2.3 Orbital Mirrors 6.2.4 Lagrange-Point Starshades 6.2.5 Geostationary Artifacts 6.2.6 Laser Broadcasting and Planetary Cloaking 6.2.7 Non-Keplerian Orbits 6.3 Axis of Merit Discussion for These Technosignatures 6.4 Methods 6.4.1 Detectability of Time-Series Technosignatures References 7 Post-Detection Message Analysis and Comprehension 7.1 Categorizing an ET Signal 7.1.1 Megastructures 7.1.2 Beamed Power and Propulsion Signals 7.1.3 Intercepted Communication 7.1.4 Intentional Communication 7.2 The Interstellar Communication Relay 7.3 The Processing Pipeline and Participants 7.4 Demodulation 7.4.1 Pulse Width Modulation 7.4.2 Pulse Interval Modulation 7.5 Combining Pulse Width and Pulse Interval Modulation 7.5.1 Wavelength Multiplexing 7.5.2 Information Carrying Capacity 7.6 Data Extraction 7.6.1 Transcription 7.6.2 Structural Analysis 7.6.3 Segmentation and Extraction 7.6.4 Data Types 7.6.5 Communicating Observables vs. Qualia 7.6.6 Images 7.6.7 Time Domain Signals 7.6.8 Algorithms (Computer Programs) 7.6.9 Solve For X Patterns 7.6.10 Memory 7.6.11 Modularity and Reuse 7.6.12 Symbolic Communication Systems and Artificial Languages 7.6.13 Genomic Information 7.6.14 Other Data Types 7.7 Classifying ETI Communication 7.7.1 Static/One Way Communication 7.7.2 Algorithmic Systems 7.7.3 Statically Defined Programs 7.7.4 Data-Driven Programs 7.7.5 Machine Learning/Narrow AI 7.7.6 Adaptive/Self-Learning Systems 7.8 Risks of Contact 7.8.1 Internal (Human Originated) Risks 7.8.1.1 Interstate Competition and Interference 7.8.2 Misinformation 7.8.3 Societal Reaction 7.8.4 External Risks 7.8.5 Algorithms 7.8.5.1 Malware 7.8.6 Artificial Intelligence 7.8.7 Genetic Information 7.8.8 Unknown Unknowns References and Recommended Reading 8 Statistical Issues in the Search for Technosignatures 8.1 Introduction 8.2 General Issues 8.3 Emission Processes 8.3.1 Drake’s ND 8.3.2 Average Number of Emission Processes at Earth 8.4 Bayesian Inference from Non-Detection and Detection References 9 Economics and Technosignatures: New Connections 9.1 The Different Faces of Economics 9.2 Economics in the Context of NASA Astrobiology Roadmap and the Drake Equation 9.3 Economics in the Context of Biosignatures vs. Technosignatures Research 9.4 Economic Methodology and Epistemology into Astrobiology References Index Also of Interest

TECHNOSIGNATURES FOR DETECTING INTELLIGENT LIFE IN OUR UNIVERSE

This book shows the current state of the research in the field of technosignatures, presenting novel ideas from economics, forecasting, and data sciences, making it an ideal research compendium for scientists.

The book summarizes the multiple interdisciplinary efforts that have contributed to the field of technosignatures. The technosignatures represent any signals that can be collected from the Universe, such as radio wavelengths, optical signals, and many more, that can be potential candidates as signals emitted intentionally from another part of the Universe that is not Earth. It shows how current advances in science, technology, and social sciences can support this effort and can be used as both a resource for the scientists in the field and as a reference for the public at large interested in the topic. It includes novel research work from economics, forecasting, and data sciences fields, as well as a deeper understanding of the role mass media and popular fiction has played in the evolution of this field.

Audience
The book will interest both natural scientists (astronomers and astrophysicists) and social scientists (economists), as well as the new emerging data scientists. Amateur astronomers will be attracted to the book as well.

This book summarizes the multiple interdisciplinary efforts that have contributed to the field of technosignatures. The technosignatures represent any signals that can be collected from the Universe, such as radio wavelengths, optical signals, and many more, that can be potential candidates as signals emitted intentionally from another part of the Universe that is not Earth. It shows how current advances in science, technology and social sciences can support this effort and can be used as both a resource for the scientists in the field and as a reference for the public at large interested in the topic. It includes novel research work from economics, forecasting and data sciences fields, as well as a deeper understanding of the role mass media and popular fiction has played into the evolution of this field.